Monthly Archives: May 2013

Support BSNL to come up – Forum asks Government

10 Friday May 2013

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, Uncategorized

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FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS

D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole Market, New Delhi – 110 001.

PressRelease                                                                                                                                                                             10th May, 2013

 On Revival of BSNL

 The Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations has submitted a Memorandum to the Group of Ministers appointed to look in to the revival of BSNL & MTNL, the Public Sector Telecom Companies.

Considering the fact that BSNL is a 100% govt. owned company, that the transition from a govt. department to a PSU where cut throat competition exists from the private operators resulting in financial difficulty as also that BSNL is the only telecom company providing the land lines and also majority of mobile lines in the lakhs of villages and remote areas which are loss making, as part of the govt. policy of providing universal services, the following proposals / demands have been included in the Memorandum.

The top management, which mainly belongs to the ITS officers are at present on deputation to BSNL. They should either be absorbed in BSNL or repatriated back to DoT to ensure efficient and committed leadership. Recruitment of capable management personnel as also promotion of efficient officers are required.

Compensation for loss-making rural services should be ensured. For this purpose, the ADC which was stopped some years back should be restored and liberal assistance from USO Fund should be provided.

The main reason for the loss for the last four years for BSNL is the equipment crunch. The cancellation of the 45.5 million mobile lines in 2007 was the starting point. Further, cancellation of 95 million lines, twice cancellation of 5 million lines etc. crippled BSNL in providing new connections. Had the mobile lines made available, BSNL could have well competed with private companies as it was doing well till 2007. Hence, it is necessary that a mechanism for procurement of equipment should be evolved enabling quick purchases, of course, ensuring accountability.

BSNL should be reimbursed the Rs.18,500 crore of licence fee charges for 3G and BWA spectrum, since it was imposed on BSNL without giving any opportunity to select the circles etc. It has already offered return of the BWA spectrum. The govt. should not wait for the re-auction for refunding the amount.

A very huge amount is collected by govt. for BSNL towards pension contribution. While the govt. had already issued orders to collect pension contribution based on the actual basic pay of the employee, pension contribution from BSNL is collected on the maximum of the payscale, which is unfair causing a huge burden on BSNL. This should be rectified and contribution on the actual basic pay only should be collected.

The govt. has collected interest at the high rate of 14.5% and penalty from BSNL towards a notional loan of Rs.7,500 crores (which was never given to BSNL). This should be refunded to BSNL and the injustice undone.

BSNL should be exempted from payment for the additional spectrum already granted. It should be mandatory for all Central, State govt. departments and PSU to take telecom services from the PSUs BSNL & MTNL as was directed in case of Air India. This will address the security concerns also.

The 7 telecom factories under BSNL should be modernised to manufacture telephone instruments modems, batteries, cables, optic fibre cables etc. so that the huge prices being paid to private companies can be reduced and the available staff in these factories can be fully utilised.

The Forum has also demanded that the Telecom Advisory Committee (TAC) at all levels be disbanded which has outlived its utility in the present competitive situation and is only causing huge expenditure to BSNL.

The Forum has expressed its strong protest against any proposal for disinvestment or for VRS, which will only destabilise the BSNL, as is clear from the experience of MTNL, where VRS and disinvestment have taken place more than once.

Many other suggestions for reviving the BSNL, improving its service and restoring its earlier position have been included in the memorandum. Copies of the memorandum has also been submitted to Prime Minister, all members of the committee including Communication Minister, Secretary DoT and CMD BSNL.

Forum of BSNL Unions / Association requests the Group of Ministers and the govt. to consider the above suggestions and take positive decisions so that BSNL will be revived and strengthened.

V.A.N.Namboodiri Convener

Mob: 9868231431

The First War of Independence 1857

10 Friday May 2013

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Though more than one and half century has passed, the heroism, patriotism  and determination of the participants in the First War of Independence 1857 is still remembered and honoured by the Nation. The Britishers called it Sepoy Munity, since it was mainly the Sepoys in the British Army who revolted first. The first shot was fired by the sepoys against the Britishers on 1oth May 1857 at Meerut, which spread like wildfire all over the North.

Though there was great victories against the British in the initial stage, including capturing of Red Fort in Delhi and other cities, the better arms and striking power of the Britishers won the day. The revolt was suppressed and the sepoys and the leaders and forces of Indian princes were massacred. The final curtain came down with the capture of Gwalior Fort by the British on  20th June 1858.

On this day, 10th May, we remember the great sacrifice made by thousands of Indians who  fought for the freedom of the country and have become immortal. Our Revolutionary Homage to these Martyrs at the altar of Freedom!

BSNL Unions/Assns call for strike on 78.2% IDA demand

10 Friday May 2013

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has decided to organise agitational programmes culminating in an Indefinite Strike with effect from 12th June 2013 demanding the implementation of the 2012 June Strike agreement on 78.2% IDA fixation. It is almost one year since the agreement has been made, but so far the orders have not been issued. Though the BSNL Board has approved, the delay is caused due to non-approval by DOT. BSNL Management has not made effective pressure to get it approved and orders issued.

The programme of actions include demonstrations on 22-05-2013, dharna on 05-06-2013 and Indefinite Strike w.e.f. 12th June on the exact date when the agreement was signed in 2012.

All the Unions/Associations have called upon the workers to implement the programmes effectively to compel the BSNL/DOT to issue the orders without any further delay.

Forum of BSNL Unions/Assns submit Memorandum to GoM on BSNL/MTNL

10 Friday May 2013

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The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations have submitted a detailed Memorandum to Sri P.Chidambaram, Finance Minister and Chairman of the Group of Ministers for the Revival of BSNL and MTNL. Copies have been furnished to all members of the Committee viz. S/Shri Montek singh Ahluwalia, Kapil Sibal, Anand Sharma, Manish Tiwari and Anand Sharma. Copy has been furnished to the Prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh also.

The Memorandum has briefed the reason for the present financial position of the BSNL, the requirement for assistance from the government for the loss making services in the lakhs of villages and remote areas, for refund of the spectrum charges, for an efficient procurement policy etc. etc. It has also opposed any move for disinvestment and VRS, which are against the interest of the company and the workers.

The full memorandum will be published in the websites of the BSNLEU and other  Unions/Associations.

9th May 1945 – The end of Second World War (1939-45)

08 Wednesday May 2013

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It was on 9th May 1945, that the II World War ended with the surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allies viz. USSR, Britain and US. The II World war started with the invasion of Poland by Hitler of Germany on 1st September 1939. The attack extended to France, Britain, USSR etc. Germany was joined by Italy and Japan which was called the Axis forces. On the other side Britain, USSR and Britain combined was called the Allies.

The Second World War ( 1939 – 1945) was the biggest and most disastrous war the world has ever seen. More than 30 countries were involved in the war with more than 100 million military in action. It is stated that  50-75 million people were killed during the war period including civilians. Almost 60% of the young people in the Europe was either killed or disabled. Lakhs of Indians fought in the British Army in foreign countries and lost their lives. US used the Atom bomb/Hydrogen bomb in Japan for the first time causing death of thousands of people and devastation of two entire cities.

The India Gate in New Delhi is a Memorial for the war heroes. Such war memorials are there in almost all countries where the II World War had spread. I have seen such War Memorials / cemetaries in Kohima (Nagaland) and  Cambridge, where thousands of graves are built with the names of the war heroes.

The war changed the political map of the  world. Many countries, including India, got freedom in the post-war period. The British lost most of their colonies.  The United Nations was formed to stop any such war in future.

Let us hope that never in future such horrible wars take place.

The

Contract workers Union formed at ALTTC, Ghasiabad

08 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

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BSNL Contract Workers Union has been formed at ALTTC, Ghasiabad. Today, 8th May 2013, a meeting of the contract workers was held at ALTTC presided over by Com. R.S.Sagar, Circle Secretary of BSNLEU. About 60 comrades participated. Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF, S.C.Bhattacharjee, Treasurer BSNLEU and Circle Secretary Chhattisgarh, L.D.Shukla and other leaders addressed and spoke about the issues of the contract workers. A few contract workers spoke pointing out their problems.

After discussion, it was decided to form BSNL Contract Workers Union at ALTTC. Office bearers with Coms. L.D.Shukla (President) and R.S.Sagar (Circle Secretary)  were elected unanimously.

Remembering the Railwaymens Strike of 1974.

07 Tuesday May 2013

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The strike by the Railway men in May 1974 which was participated by about 19 lakh workers and continued for about three weeks is the biggest strike known so far. It started on 8th May 1974 on the demands of Bonus and other issues. The government brutally suppressed the strike by arresting and jailing tens of thousands of workers, dismissing and terminating and through other victimisation.

A section of the Central Government employees under the leadership of Confederation of Central Govt. employees led by Com. S.K.Vyas also participated for 5 days.  ( I was chargesheeted and punished for participation in the strike).  The section led by Com.O.P.Gupta, not only did not participate, but worked against the strike and supported the government.

The strike was suppressed, but the result came after a few years. After the Janatha Government came in 1977, Bonus was first declared for the Railway workers and later for all Central Government employees.

on this 39th anniversary of the strike I pay Red Salute to all those comrades who participated and faced the brutal victimisation of the government.

Forum to submit Memorandum to GoM on Revival of BSNL

07 Tuesday May 2013

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The meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations held today, 7th May, at New Delhi has finalised the memorandum to be submitted to P.Chidambaram, Finance Minister and Chairman of the Group of Ministers appointed on the issue of Revival of BSNL and MTNL.The important issues to be included in the Memorandum were discussed in detail and finalised.

The Memorandum will be submitted to the GoM after getting the signatures of the General Secretaries who have been asked to meet at 1700 hours at the C.O.

Confederation – Coms. Vyas, Kutty, Krishnan elected

07 Tuesday May 2013

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The National Conference of Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers held at Kolkata concluded with a call to the workers to continue the struggle for the appointment of VII Central Pay Commission and on other demands.

Coms. S.K.Vyas, K.K.N.Kutty and M.Krishnan have been unanimously as Advisor, President and Secretary General of the Confederation. My Hearty Congratulations to all of them. BSNLEU will continue its close co-ordination with the Confederation as before.